“Then find out.”
He walked over and clumsily picked up Miles. The crying continued for a moment, but as Derek adjusted his grip and slowed his pacing, the baby quieted down.
Derek looked down at our son. “You always make this look effortless.”
“I don’t,” I said softly. “I just took the time to learn.”
“I felt out of place,” he confessed quietly. “Every time you handled things so quickly, it felt like I wasn’t needed, so I pulled back.”
“Feeling unsure doesn’t justify ignoring your family when they need you,” I told him.
Over the next few weeks, Derek began making changes. He started coming over without being prompted, left work on time twice a week, and learned the twins’ routines. He paid attention to which comfort techniques worked for each baby.
Three weeks later, when my cast was removed, I brought some belongings back home, though I kept a few things at my mother’s house.
“Are you keeping options open?” Derek asked when he noticed.
